The Five Best Shows in Houston This Week: Rachael Yamagata, The Weeks, DFA 1979, etc.

Rachael Yamagata's thoughtful, well-bred take on adult pop clearly marks her as one of Carole King's spiritual godchildren. Since her debut LP Happenstance appeared a decade ago, the 37-year-old Arlington, Va. native has landed her songs on scores of prime-time TV shows and is currently going the crowd-funding route toward her next release, tentatively titled Tightrope Walker.

Yamagata has also guested with artists such as Jason Mraz, Ryan Adams, the Old '97s' Rhett Miller and even Toots & the Maytals, suggesting she enjoys stepping out from behind the piano every so often. With The Dove and the Wolf and Hemming. CHRIS GRAY

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins/Big Hassle Media

The WeeksWarehouse Live, November 4

Just as Kings of Leon have seemingly lost their grip on younger fans' imaginations, here come the Weeks to ensure that modern rock doesn't lose its Southern accent. Even younger and rangier than the Followills circa Youth and Young Manhood, the Nashville-via-Mississippi quintet are quickly raising their profile thanks to brand-new EP Buttons, balancing red-blooded hormones with songwriting that proves they're about more than trucker hats -- and no stranger to that stout Muscle Shoals sound, either. With the Bots and Sol Cat. CHRIS GRAY

Single MothersWalters Downtown, November 5

Vote first, please, but if you're looking to release some Election-Day frustration -- no matter your side of the political aisle -- head over to Walters for a stiff dose of Single Mothers' eardrum-assaulting nihilism. Carrying on the sneering tradition of Northern forefathers like D.O.A., singer Drew Thomson and his Ontario-based cronies offer both withering sarcasm and scream-therapy exercises in abundance on their volatile new LP Negative Qualities. Don't blame Canada for this one. With Forced FEM and Black Coffee. CHRIS GRAY

More shows on the next page.

Metal Blade Records

King DiamondHouse of Blues, November 5

Mercyful Fate's former front man has inspired a wave of metalheads from Metallica to Ghost BC. His aesthetic, lyricism and music has informed more artists than one could count. But after a near-fatal heart attack and a serious back injury, many would have assumed King Diamond was done. Instead, he's back on tour with his solo band, and returns to Houston Wednesday after God knows how many years. It could be your last chance to see him in action, so make sure you're there to pay your respects to this metal legend. COREY DEITERMAN

Death From Above 1979Warehouse Live, November 6

No two-piece act is more electric than Death From Above 1979. Composed of Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler (aka MSTRKRFT), the Canadian dance-punks sparked the ongoing interest in fast-paced, electric, sexy duos that make noise much bigger than themselves. Be warned, though: this show will not be for the faint of heart.

Due to DFA's long hiatus and uncertainty as to making music in the future -- their first new album in ten years, The Physical World, is a good sign, though -- this show will get sweatier than a pair of gym socks. ALYSSA DUPREE

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